WORLD WAR TWO - Handwritten Diary - Europe - Pacific Theater - MacArthur - Japan - WWII - 1945
Item History & Price
INCREDIBLE, ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN DIARY KEPT BY G. W. PARKS OF NOLAN COUNTY TEXAS. NUMEROUS ENTRIES PERTAINING TO WORLD WAR TWO. JOURNAL IS DATED 1945. Fascinating handwritten diary is absolutely full with the life of this very busy preacher in Roscoe, Texas and the surrounding area, as he was also a traveling minister. Parks follows World War Two with considerable hand written entries on a number of pages keeping track of what was happening in Europe, Borneo, Gaton, Manilla, Japan, &am...p;c. during WWII. His notations include; MacArthur invading Luzon; President Roosevelt dying; Truman and the Big 3 Conference; War and the Pacific Theater; Hitler dead, but not confirmed; Japan surrenders; Victory Day, and so much more. Parks also addresses his cotton crop wasting in the field, the drought which hit Texas and the American West heavily in 1945. He writes profusely about the end of the war and on the heels of that in October came the great labor strike.
The year 1945 was a difficult year for the entire world and Parks, a very concerned American addresses his worries; duties; funerals; the deaths of numerous friends; the flu hitting hard in his part of West Texas; Roscoe's high school football team barred from playing for a year, which upset him tremendously; the Army plane crashing near Sweetwater which erupted in flames in the air and killed all 25 servicemen aboard; he often writes that "things are looking gloomy." There are sand storms; floods; drought; crop failure; friends fighting and dying in Europe; the building of a new school in Roscoe; trying to hire another preacher who can deliver sermons that his parishioners can identify with, and all of this comes to rest on his shoulders, the shoulders of a 79 year old who held pastorates throughout a wide area of West Texas.
Hand written entries address: "Jan. 4, 1945. The war news is discouraging for an early peace. There is yet so much to do. Arthur G. was our first to get into battle. He was at Leyte. His ship was damaged and came into port for repairs. Jan. 10 MacArthur invades Luzon. So far successful. Jan. 15, Visited several at the hospital - the hospital is full. O.C. left for his duties in Hawaii. He seemed restless while here. The war changes boys. Would that it was over. Jan. 19, Russia is fighting vigorously on the Eastern front. Jan. 20, The Russians are going strong. some of them are on German soil. Hungary has quit. Keeping up with war reports. It is active all over the world. Jan. 23, War reports are favorable. The Jones - Wallace fight in Washington is warming up. Jan. 29, The war news is still favorable yet the end is not in sight. Feb. 3, War news came that Wildon Morris was killed in Belgium. Feb. 5, Word comes that MacArthur has taken Manilla, in the Philippines. Feb. 6, The 'Big Three' are in session some where in S.C. Europe. Feb. 14, The war news is hopeful but is still bad. March 1, Heard the President's speech to Congress. He discussed the 'Big Three' meeting at Yalta. March 9, The war news has some hopeful features. The Rhine has been crossed, also the the Oder. Here at home the Ohio River is on a great rampage. March 29, It looks like the war in Europe might end most any time. Yet it may hold out for months."
"April 12, President Roosevelt died today at 3:35 P.M. April 17, Heard Truman speak to the fighting forces. April 18 Ernie Pyle was killed this morning. (He got killed on Okinawa by enemy fire.) Truman starts off well. Hope he continues so. April 20, Twenty five people killed in a plane crash near Sweetwater, Texas. (All servicemen.) Berlin is being attacked. April 23, Berlin is seething in a great battle. Russia attacking. The Americans are staying back on the Elbe River. It was so planned. Will let the Russians have them. April 25, The great San Francisco, California Security Conference of 46 nations met. We hope for success. At least it should do some good. April 30, Have listened all day for an announcement of Germany's surrender. It surely will come soon."
"May 1, Hitler is reported dead. Not confirmed. Berlin still holds. Borneo invaded. May 2, Berlin surrendered to the Russians. The German forces in Italy and South East Austria surrounded to Clark and Alexander. We listen. V.E. day. May 3, Germany is still surrendering in sections. May 7, Germany has surrendered. Tomorrow is to be V.E. Day (Victory in Europe.) The news has been badly muddled. News men are too eager and they jumped the gun. Everybody is happy - yet there is Japan. May 8, V. E. Day was proclaimed by President Truman at 8 A.M. There is joy mingled with sadness. August 8, Russia has entered the war against Japan."
"August 9, Heard Pres. Truman's report on the 'Big Three' meeting at Potsdam. August 10, Much talk of peace. Japan surrendered or appears to do so on one condition. That the Emperor be retained as he is. It is yet to be settled. August 14, The President announced that Japan had accepted our terms and that the war is over. There is much celebrating going on now. We are so thankful. There is yet a big job to perform. Oct. 1, The whole country is full of Labor Strikes. If something is not done conditions will be as bad as war except for the killing. And there may be some of that." (Because of the staggering increase in the cost of living after WWII, as well as the end of wartime bonuses and overtime, organized labor demanded higher wages and went on strikes all over America when employers refused.) "Dec. 4, The world condition is disturbing. In Europe, Asia and the Pacific Islands things are disturbed. Some war and much disagreement. The allies are not agreed but there is hope of some of a peaceful settlement." World War Two handwritten entries cover so many of the pages in this diary that I focused on them, however there is much more that Parks writes about that is also of great interest. This diary is rich and full of historical importance, and it is a very worthy acquisition indeed.
Rev. G. W. Parks was born in Whitley, Ky, June 14, 1866, and he was 79 years old when he wrote this incredible diary. During his career he had been pastor of churches at Scranton, Ovalo, Clyde, Baird, Gorman, Eastland, Carbon, Spade, Paynes Chapel, and was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Roscoe for 11 years. The Rev. J. C. Parks of Rotan, Texas, was his brother. "Obituary from the Abilene Reporter – News April 7, 1951 Roscoe, Texas. On April 6 – The Rev. G. W. Parks, an 84 year old Baptist minister who held pastorates throughout a wide west Texas area, died at 9:30pm Friday at his home here.He had been ill for some time and confined to his bed for the last four months.Survivors are the widow, three sons, John Parks of Abilene, Herman of Dallas and George Parks of Roscoe; four daughters, Mrs. A. L. Skiles of Georgetown, KY; Mrs. Ora Parker of Kingsville; Mrs. L. B. Dawson of Corpus Christi; and Mrs. H. G. Griffith of Atlanta, GA."
"He was an Outstanding Citizen. It was just last February that the Rev. Parks was honored by the Lion's Club as Roscoe's "outstanding citizen, " and the Texas Baptist Convention once named as the outstanding rural minister of Texas.The late president of Hardin-Simmons University, Dr. J. D. Sandefer, several times offered him the Bible chair at HSU and is quoted as saying: "If I were to choose the one minister I could listen to and enjoy every Sunday it would be the Rev. G. W. Parks."The HSU post was declined because Parks wanted to stay "a small town minister." Born in Whitley, Ky, June 14, 1866, he married the former Annie Victoria Cain Jan. 15, 1899 and they celebrated their 63rd anniversary in January. During his career he had been pastor of churches at Scranton, Ovalo, Clyde, Baird, Gorman, Eastland, Carbon, Spade, Paynes Chapel, and was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Roscoe for 11 years. He retired at the age of 80 while he was pastor of the Hermleigh Church. The Rev George W Parks was the son Gabriel (1836 KY - 1902 AR) and Agnes Nancy Patrick (1845 KY – 1912 Scranton TX.)"
Condition: Diary has soft cover leather wraps and is in good condition; internally fresh and tight with handwritten entries on every page for the entire year of 1945. Parks financial entries in back of book as is usual with these old journals. Measures approx. 3 1/2 x 6 inches. There were many invitations to get side tracked when writing this compelling work as Parks wrote about his life in such an interesting hand, however my focus was WWII.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always bidders with no established feedback must contact us before bidding. Payment must be received within 3 days after close of auction. Thank you.
The year 1945 was a difficult year for the entire world and Parks, a very concerned American addresses his worries; duties; funerals; the deaths of numerous friends; the flu hitting hard in his part of West Texas; Roscoe's high school football team barred from playing for a year, which upset him tremendously; the Army plane crashing near Sweetwater which erupted in flames in the air and killed all 25 servicemen aboard; he often writes that "things are looking gloomy." There are sand storms; floods; drought; crop failure; friends fighting and dying in Europe; the building of a new school in Roscoe; trying to hire another preacher who can deliver sermons that his parishioners can identify with, and all of this comes to rest on his shoulders, the shoulders of a 79 year old who held pastorates throughout a wide area of West Texas.
Hand written entries address: "Jan. 4, 1945. The war news is discouraging for an early peace. There is yet so much to do. Arthur G. was our first to get into battle. He was at Leyte. His ship was damaged and came into port for repairs. Jan. 10 MacArthur invades Luzon. So far successful. Jan. 15, Visited several at the hospital - the hospital is full. O.C. left for his duties in Hawaii. He seemed restless while here. The war changes boys. Would that it was over. Jan. 19, Russia is fighting vigorously on the Eastern front. Jan. 20, The Russians are going strong. some of them are on German soil. Hungary has quit. Keeping up with war reports. It is active all over the world. Jan. 23, War reports are favorable. The Jones - Wallace fight in Washington is warming up. Jan. 29, The war news is still favorable yet the end is not in sight. Feb. 3, War news came that Wildon Morris was killed in Belgium. Feb. 5, Word comes that MacArthur has taken Manilla, in the Philippines. Feb. 6, The 'Big Three' are in session some where in S.C. Europe. Feb. 14, The war news is hopeful but is still bad. March 1, Heard the President's speech to Congress. He discussed the 'Big Three' meeting at Yalta. March 9, The war news has some hopeful features. The Rhine has been crossed, also the the Oder. Here at home the Ohio River is on a great rampage. March 29, It looks like the war in Europe might end most any time. Yet it may hold out for months."
"April 12, President Roosevelt died today at 3:35 P.M. April 17, Heard Truman speak to the fighting forces. April 18 Ernie Pyle was killed this morning. (He got killed on Okinawa by enemy fire.) Truman starts off well. Hope he continues so. April 20, Twenty five people killed in a plane crash near Sweetwater, Texas. (All servicemen.) Berlin is being attacked. April 23, Berlin is seething in a great battle. Russia attacking. The Americans are staying back on the Elbe River. It was so planned. Will let the Russians have them. April 25, The great San Francisco, California Security Conference of 46 nations met. We hope for success. At least it should do some good. April 30, Have listened all day for an announcement of Germany's surrender. It surely will come soon."
"May 1, Hitler is reported dead. Not confirmed. Berlin still holds. Borneo invaded. May 2, Berlin surrendered to the Russians. The German forces in Italy and South East Austria surrounded to Clark and Alexander. We listen. V.E. day. May 3, Germany is still surrendering in sections. May 7, Germany has surrendered. Tomorrow is to be V.E. Day (Victory in Europe.) The news has been badly muddled. News men are too eager and they jumped the gun. Everybody is happy - yet there is Japan. May 8, V. E. Day was proclaimed by President Truman at 8 A.M. There is joy mingled with sadness. August 8, Russia has entered the war against Japan."
"August 9, Heard Pres. Truman's report on the 'Big Three' meeting at Potsdam. August 10, Much talk of peace. Japan surrendered or appears to do so on one condition. That the Emperor be retained as he is. It is yet to be settled. August 14, The President announced that Japan had accepted our terms and that the war is over. There is much celebrating going on now. We are so thankful. There is yet a big job to perform. Oct. 1, The whole country is full of Labor Strikes. If something is not done conditions will be as bad as war except for the killing. And there may be some of that." (Because of the staggering increase in the cost of living after WWII, as well as the end of wartime bonuses and overtime, organized labor demanded higher wages and went on strikes all over America when employers refused.) "Dec. 4, The world condition is disturbing. In Europe, Asia and the Pacific Islands things are disturbed. Some war and much disagreement. The allies are not agreed but there is hope of some of a peaceful settlement." World War Two handwritten entries cover so many of the pages in this diary that I focused on them, however there is much more that Parks writes about that is also of great interest. This diary is rich and full of historical importance, and it is a very worthy acquisition indeed.
Rev. G. W. Parks was born in Whitley, Ky, June 14, 1866, and he was 79 years old when he wrote this incredible diary. During his career he had been pastor of churches at Scranton, Ovalo, Clyde, Baird, Gorman, Eastland, Carbon, Spade, Paynes Chapel, and was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Roscoe for 11 years. The Rev. J. C. Parks of Rotan, Texas, was his brother. "Obituary from the Abilene Reporter – News April 7, 1951 Roscoe, Texas. On April 6 – The Rev. G. W. Parks, an 84 year old Baptist minister who held pastorates throughout a wide west Texas area, died at 9:30pm Friday at his home here.He had been ill for some time and confined to his bed for the last four months.Survivors are the widow, three sons, John Parks of Abilene, Herman of Dallas and George Parks of Roscoe; four daughters, Mrs. A. L. Skiles of Georgetown, KY; Mrs. Ora Parker of Kingsville; Mrs. L. B. Dawson of Corpus Christi; and Mrs. H. G. Griffith of Atlanta, GA."
"He was an Outstanding Citizen. It was just last February that the Rev. Parks was honored by the Lion's Club as Roscoe's "outstanding citizen, " and the Texas Baptist Convention once named as the outstanding rural minister of Texas.The late president of Hardin-Simmons University, Dr. J. D. Sandefer, several times offered him the Bible chair at HSU and is quoted as saying: "If I were to choose the one minister I could listen to and enjoy every Sunday it would be the Rev. G. W. Parks."The HSU post was declined because Parks wanted to stay "a small town minister." Born in Whitley, Ky, June 14, 1866, he married the former Annie Victoria Cain Jan. 15, 1899 and they celebrated their 63rd anniversary in January. During his career he had been pastor of churches at Scranton, Ovalo, Clyde, Baird, Gorman, Eastland, Carbon, Spade, Paynes Chapel, and was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Roscoe for 11 years. He retired at the age of 80 while he was pastor of the Hermleigh Church. The Rev George W Parks was the son Gabriel (1836 KY - 1902 AR) and Agnes Nancy Patrick (1845 KY – 1912 Scranton TX.)"
Condition: Diary has soft cover leather wraps and is in good condition; internally fresh and tight with handwritten entries on every page for the entire year of 1945. Parks financial entries in back of book as is usual with these old journals. Measures approx. 3 1/2 x 6 inches. There were many invitations to get side tracked when writing this compelling work as Parks wrote about his life in such an interesting hand, however my focus was WWII.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always bidders with no established feedback must contact us before bidding. Payment must be received within 3 days after close of auction. Thank you.
